Women in Horror Month (WiHM) is an international, grassroots initiative, which encourages supportersto learn about and showcase the underrepresented work of women in the horror industries. Whetherthey are on the screen, behind the scenes, or contributing in their other various artistic ways, it is clearthat women love, appreciate, and contribute to the horror genre.WiHM celebrates these contributions to horror throughout the year via the official WiHM blog, Ax Wound,The Ax Wound Film Festival, and with the official WiHM event/project database in February. The database(http://womeninhorrormonth.com/events)—in conjunction with the WiHM social media fan base--actively promotes do-it-yourself annual film screenings, blogs/articles, podcasts, and any other form ofcreative media with the ultimate goal of helping works by and featuring women reach a wider audience.This inclusive and positive movement is open to everyone, just as we believe the horror genre should be.

From Mary Shelley to Anne Rice, female horror writers have been around for generations. This month is all about celebrating female horror writers and strong female leads in horror stories. We hope you enjoy what we have to offer and hopefully, you will find a few new books to add to your collection. Below is our schedule for the month.

Fifteen years ago, Kitty Holbrooke was set to be the greatest child star since Shirley Temple. Days after completing her debut film, the young girl was kidnapped from her home in the middle of the night. The next day, a rambling ransom note appeared in the family's mailbox, but as the family scrambled to gather the money, police discovered Kitty's body. Due to the media circus surrounding the case, changing testimony from key witnesses, and police missteps, lead detective Andrea Bennett was never able to bring Kitty's killer to justice, and the case that rocked a nation went cold. Today, an online tabloid has uncovered Kitty Holbrooke's shocking case files including never-before-seen police interviews, confidential emails, secret text messages, and sealed grand jury transcripts. The Internet explodes as fans devour and comment on each piece of new evidence, desperately hoping that they, too, can help solve the mystery. Loosely inspired by the JonBenet Ramsey case, this unique, thrilling mystery is told through police transcripts and documents, and will keep readers guessing until the very end.Excerpt:

DAY 1—THE ANNOUNCEMENTJuly 2, 2017

Hollywood Inquirer, your daily online source for celebrity gossip and entertainment has recently come into possession of crucial evidence in the unsolved murder of child star Kitty Holbrooke!For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past fifteen years, or for those too young to remember the tragedy, Kitty was set to be the next big thing in Hollywood before her tragic death at the tender age of nine. Years later, and the debate over the identity of her killer still rages on!Kitty was discovered by an agent while picnicking with her mother and sister at a local park. She was immediately hired to star in a national campaign for Sunny Orange Juice and became an overnight sensation. A year later, days after Kitty completed filming for her debut appearance in the remake of Shirley Temple’s Curly Top opposite A-listers Ashley Maddox and Tyrese Jones, the brilliant star disappeared from her home.Kitty lived in the small community of Elmhurst, California, just north of Los Angeles County, on a quiet cul-de-sac where no break-ins or thefts had ever been reported. There had not been a murder in the town for several years, and police were used to the cozy small-town atmosphere, where neighbors knew each other’s names and friendships were formed over block parties and barbecues. No one could have expected such a horrific crime to happen in such an idyllic setting.On the night in question, Mr. and Mrs. Holbrooke claimed they put their daughters Kitty and Allison to bed around 8pm. Kitty’s disappearance was supposedly discovered the next morning when Mrs. Holbrooke woke to take her daughter to an audition.Police were called in, but first believed the young girl had run away. Tragically, this was not the case. The next day, the family received a bizarre, rambling ransom note asking for over $200,000 in non-sequential unmarked bills. An Amber Alert was issued, and police set off on a nationwide manhunt for anyone transporting a girl matching the child star’s description.Strangely enough, law enforcement failed to properly search the entirety of the Holbrooke estate for nearly two days. When the search finally took place, Kitty’s body was discovered in a shed on the edge of the Holbrooke property.The darling girl had been smothered by a small, white pillow, duct-taped over her face. There were cuts and bruises scattered across her broken body, and investigators put her time of death somewhere around 3 o’clock in the morning on the day she was discovered missing.Through a series of missteps on the part of both the police and the district attorney’s office, the case went cold and the murderer was never brought to justice.Today, that may all change. We’ve finally broken through the wall of silence surrounding Kitty’s murder!An inside source has given Hollywood Inquirer a complete copy of audio files recorded during the days and weeks after Kitty’s disappearance and death. We have authenticated these tapes as the original police interviews with family members, witnesses, and other suspects. The source has also provided us with copies of emails, phone calls, and brand-new evidence never before seen by the public or any other media agency.On our website, and only our website, you can have an exclusive insider look at one of our nation’s most talked about unsolved mysteries. Hopefully, we will find answers and justice will prevail! It’s time Kitty’s spirit finally finds peace.Tomorrow, we kick off our explosive thirteen-part Kitty Holbrooke series. We have transcribed and pieced together the police recordings to give readers a clear picture of the suspects and their stories. Because of the scope and length of these interviews, we’ll be releasing a few each day… allowing plenty of time for you to comment, discuss, and come up with your own theories!As most of you know, charges were never formally filed against any one suspect, and the case never went through for an actual trial. However, in proceedings closed to the press and public, the grand jury met and heard evidence from the prosecuting attorney, including testimony from forensic experts, eye-witnesses, and law enforcement.The grand jury proceedings were sealed, but the judge in the case is now processing our request that they be unsealed and released for their substantive value in the public interest. After covering the police investigation, we will focus on these transcripts, as well as emails and phone calls between the district attorney and the police, showing just where their case went wrong.Finally, we’ll present exclusive statements from the major players in the case, fifteen years later, as they reflect upon Kitty’s death, answer all our burning questions, and perhaps reveal the truth about their involvement.We promise this will be the story of the summer! Stay connected with us on social media for updates as we try to solve America’s most heartbreaking mystery. This was the case that shocked the nation, so comment below. Let us know whose testimony you want to hear most!

​About the Author:

M.C. Hall is the pen name of Megan Cassidy Hall. She also writes books for children and young adults under the name Megan E. Cassidy. In addition to writing, Megan works as an English professor teaching a variety of courses including Creative Writing and Children and Young Adult Literature. Megan’s previous novels include Always, Jessie and The Misadventures of Marvin Miller. Her poetry and short stories have been featured in numerous publications, and can be found on her website: www.megancassidyauthor.comIn 2016, Megan co-founded 50/50 Press with her husband Stephen Hall. You can visit their website at www.5050press.com or follow them on Twitter @FiftyFiftyPressMegan is available for book discussions, readings, and signings. Connect with her on Twitter @MeganEileenC or on Facebook www.facebook.com/megancassidyauthor

I closed the door on magic long ago…the day it made me an orphan.Ten years ago, the Coven of Fire sacrificed their lives—my mother among them—to hold off an overwhelming demonic force. Now it’s back.As a poorly-paid bartender, how can any of this be my problem? But Callie, another orphan of that battle, swears I’m the key to reviving the coven. And there’s an incredibly sexy guardian stranded on my couch who’s promising to help me stop the demons and keep the veil between the realms standing.One problem: I’ve never been able to use magic. Our local bad boy warlock assures me I have the talent, but even if I did, we don’t have enough witches to complete a coven. The only way to survive is to pull together this pack of magicborn misfits, who have more secrets than spells, into a makeshift coven.Can we—three untrained witches, a sarcastic warlock, and an overly intense guardian—take back the city…before the demongate falls and the forces that killed my mother destroy us too?

About the Author:

Spells and skyscrapers. Warriors and Warlocks. Coven secrets and forbidden romances. Sierra Cross lives for urban fantasy, for modern magic, and the bold supernatural beings who stalk our contemporary world. Her Spelldrift universe stars kickass witches and their heroic guardians, as well as vampires, shifters, mages, Fidei and the dark demonic forces that threaten them all.

Review:

Alix spent most of her life believing she had no power, but when she discovers the truth about the death of her mother and coven, she realizes that she isn't as powerless as she thought. An entertaining read with some great characters. I would recommend it.

EmVee didn’t know what to think about this new town her father’s passion for boxing lured them. It was an unlikely location for her to pursue her dream of going semi-pro. Just when she started getting used to the school with gorgeous jocks and strange cheerleaders, the depth of the danger her father’s choices dangled them in front of became clear. EmVee hoped Silas and Kayson will be able to help her uncover the mystery identity of the person who is threatening her family. The question is, will she survive to expose the mystery.

Review:

EmVee is a good character, she's tough, a fighter and capable of looking after herself. I did think that the method of storytelling however, was somewhat chaotic. There were some good ideas, but the pace was off. It could have easily been expanded into a longer book with more detail. Three stars.

Synopsis:Being a fairy princess isn't all it's cracked up to be, especially when you have to choose between saving your people...And killing your girlfriend. Oh, and let's not forget having to pass summer school, too.

Talk about a hot mess.

First, there's Rouen, princess of the dark Fae, goth-rock star Euphoria, and soon-to-be senior at Richmond Elite High. Her world is all things ice, snow, and death. And that death will include her own people unless she can defeat her evil father in a Battle of Wits and War and seize the throne. Trouble is, taking the throne is a death sentence for the princess of the fair Fae. In other words, a quick death for Syl, Rouen's girlfriend.
​And that’s so not good.

Second, there's Syl, princess of the fair Fae, geek girl mathlete, and also an incoming senior. Things aren't any easier for her. Syl must save her people by battling her old nemesis, the fair Fae prince, and the same rules apply: taking the throne means a death sentence for the other court's princess, Rouen.

Even worse, Syl and Rouen's enemies have figured out they're a couple. Now, both Rouen's father and Syl's archenemy are teaming up to ensure neither of them makes it till Midsummer’s Day never mind to the fall semester.

Looks like passing summer school is the least of their worries.

About the Author:

Raised by witches and dragons in the northern wilds, GIE writes angsty urban fantasy YA romance--where girls who are mortal enemies kick butt, take names, and fall in love against all odds.

She enjoys long hikes in the woods (where better to find the fair folk?), believing in fairies (in fact, she's clapping right now), dancing with dark elves (always wear your best shoes), being a self-rescuing princess (hello, black belt!), and writing diverse books about teenage girls finding love, romance, and their own inner power.

She might be planning high tea at the Fae Court right now.

GIE is multi-published, and in her role as an editor has helped hundreds of authors make their dream of being published a reality.